Mar 19 What the Changes to Verity Really Mean

We are glad to announce that we will be merging with The Gospel Coalition to create the Women’s Training Network.

If you read last week’s blog post, you have already heard that there are some changes in store for the Verity Fellowship this year. We are glad to announce that we will be merging with The Gospel Coalition to create the Women’s Training Network. This new work will allow us to take our events equipping women across the nation, and even around the world.

With change, there can be a lot of questions. Who is Verity becoming and what does the Women’s Training Network value? Is this ministry I was part of moving away from what I care about? Can I still trust them?

Some Things Don’t Change

Yes, things are changing at the Verity Fellowship. We will redirect you to another web page to find our schedule. You will see events marked with a new label. New faces will join the teaching team. At the same time, we want you to know that some things will not change.

Even though we may not be named after the “verity” any longer, our dedication to keeping Jesus and his grace central has not waned.

As we have said at every event we have ever had, the “verity” (a true principle of utmost important) we rest on is that everything centers on Jesus Christ. Every part of the Bible leads us to the gracious work of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and this good news changes every part of our lives and ministries. The work of Christ is the center of it all. This has not changed, friends. Even though we may not be named after the “verity” any longer, our dedication to keeping Jesus and his grace central has not waned.

The other mantra you have heard repeatedly from us is that we exist to encourage and equip women to use the Scriptures well. Our events may expand, and the schedule may shift. Yet, the purpose is still the same. We believe that if we know how to interpret the Bible, we can better teach, disciple, love others and grow ourselves. The Women’s Training Network events revolve around this vision.

We Value You

When asking what the Women’s Training Network values, we’d answer: “You.” We love the women Jesus has gifted in his church, and his Spirit has gifted each woman in his church. If you look back over the Verity Values, we’d still shout those from a rooftop—we believe women should think theologically and teach biblically. We give ourselves to equipping women because God has made us to use our minds to serve him, though that looks different in each of our lives and contexts. Finally, we believe the gospel transforms. It saves our lost souls, and each day we confess our need for ongoing grace as we return to its truths. Our values have not shifted, dear friends, though our logo and event titles may change.

We will be bringing a large event here to Portland every year, though no other city will see us annually.

We also want you to know that we love the Pacific Northwest. No offense to any of you reading from anywhere else, but our hearts (and our bodies) live here. We have prayed for the Lord to do a great work in the NW for years, and we will not stop now. We will be bringing a large event here to Portland every year, though no other city will see us annually. We hope to have smaller trainings consistently in Portland as well. Though our King has opened doors for us to bring training to other places, we want you to know that we are still devoted to engaging here with you.

Walk with Us

You’re the same women who have prayed for us and walked with us for three years now. Would you do it again?

We’re excited to walk forward into these new things, and like we have done many times before, we ask that you pray for us. We’re the same women who have led the Verity Fellowship who will now lead the Women’s Training Network, and you’re the same women who have prayed for us and walked with us for three years now. Would you do it again?

There’s more to come. For now, if you’re coming to Verity Training in June, be expecting some instructions on preparing your expositions soon! If you’re looking for our next big event, we’ll give you a hint that April 2019 is in our sights.

With any changes, we’re thankful for a Savior who does not change. He has been King of the Verity Fellowship, and we’re thankful to follow his lead into the Women’s Training Network. We know that any work that goes well is by his power, and we ask that he continue to equip his church. If he so wants, we ask that he may use us.

Taylor Turkington, co-director of The Verity Fellowship, has served in formal teaching and discipleship positions for the past 10 years, in both local and international contexts. Taylor and her husband Matt live in SW Portland, where she enjoys gardening in her back yard. She has a Masters in Biblical and Theological Studies from Western Seminary, where she presently labors to complete her Doctorate of Ministry. You can find Taylor on Twitter and Instagram as @tayturkington

Taylor Turkington, co-director of The Verity Fellowship, has served in formal teaching and discipleship positions for the past 10 years, in both local and international contexts. Taylor and her husband Matt live in SW Portland, where she enjoys gardening in her back yard. She has a Masters in Biblical and Theological Studies from Western Seminary, where she presently labors to complete her Doctorate of Ministry. You can find Taylor on Twitter and Instagram as @tayturkington